Introduction to Nutrition in Plants

 Introduction to Nutrition in PlantsLiving and Non-Living

 OrganismsLiving organisms like human beings, plants and animals need food to survive and exist.Living organisms reproduce, respond to the environment and also adapt.Living organisms respire and excrete as well.Cells

Cells are tiny units that help make up a living organism. Hence, they are also called building blocks of an organism.

A cell is constituted of three major parts :A thin outer layer called the cell membrane.A spherical structure located at the centre of the cell called a nucleus.A jelly-like substance that surrounds a nucleus called the cytoplasm.

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Single and Multi-Cellular OrganismsOrganisms that are made up of just one cell are called single-celled or Unicellular organisms. E.g.  AmoebaOrganisms with more than one cell in their body are called multicellular organisms.All human beings, plants and animals are multicellular organisms.

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Nutrition

Nutrition is the mode of taking food by an organism and its utilisation by the body.

Nutrition is very important as the nutrients from the food consumed enables living organisms to build their bodies and grow.Nutrition helps to repair damaged parts and organs.Nutrition also provides energy for carrying out various functions.

For More Information On How do Plants Get Their Nutritions, Watch The Below Video:Video

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Autotrophs and Heterotrophs

Organisms that make food themselves are called autotrophs.

Plants are an example of autotrophs as they make their own food using carbon dioxide, water and light energy.

Organisms that rely on others and usually take in ready-made food made by the autotrophs are called  heterotrophs.

Animals and human beings are an example of heterotrophs as they depend on plants in many ways for their food.

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Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process of synthesis of food by green plants.

This process usually takes place in the leaves of plants.The process requires chlorophyll (green coloured pigment), sunlight, carbon dioxide and water.

 For More Information On Photosynthesis, Watch The Below Videos:

Photosynthesis

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OrganellesOrganelles are tiny cellular structures inside a cell and perform specific functions that are important for the cell.They are found in the cytoplasm of a cell.E.g. Chloroplast is the cell organelle that carries out photosynthesis.ChloroplastsThe chloroplast is a type of organelle that exists in plants.These organelles contain chlorophyll, the green coloured pigment that is responsible for carrying out the process of photosynthesis in plants.ChlorophyllChlorophyll is the pigment that is responsible for the synthesis of food in green plants.This pigment green colour to its bearers and is abundantly found in leaves.Chlorophyll is locked inside the chloroplast.Process of Photosynthesis

The process of photosynthesis takes place in the leaves, the “food factory” of the plants.

Carbon dioxide is taken in through tiny pores on the leaves called stomata.Water and minerals that are required for the process are transported to the leaves from the roots through the stem.Chlorophyll helps the leaves use the energy from the sunlight to prepare food using the carbon dioxide, water and minerals.Oxygen is released as a by-product  of this process.The equation can be given as:

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Nutrients Being Replenished in SoilNutrientsPlants absorb mineral nutrients from the soil in order to make their own food and for other important processes.Soils need to be enriched with nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium etc regularly.Only then can we grow plants and keep them healthy.There are 17 most important nutrients for plants.6 are called macronutrients and rest are called micronutrients.Macronutrients are required in large quantities while micronutrients are required in very small quantities.

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Other Modes of NutritionSymbiotic Relationship

Organisms that live together and share their shelter and nutrients are said to be in a symbiotic relationship.

Certain fungi live in the roots of trees.The tree provides nutrients to the fungus and, in return, receives help from it to take up water and nutrients from the soil.This association works well for both the fungi and the tree.Another most common example is of Rhizobium bacteria.They reside in the root nodules of leguminous plants.The bacteria provide a plant with nitrogen that they fix and in turn, they get shelter and food from the plant.RhizobiumRhizobium is a type of bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into a soluble form that can be utilised by plants (nitrogen fixation).It usually resides in the roots of leguminous plants like peas, gram, moong etc and is instrumental in providing these plants with a rich source of nitrogen.

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Nitrogen FixationNitrogen is an important nutrient required for soil and for plants.However, nitrogen in the atmosphere is not easily accessible.

The process by which nitrogen is converted into a form that can be used by plants and other living organisms is called nitrogen fixation.

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Parasites

A  parasite is a heterotroph that completely depends on another organism for its food.

The organism to which the parasite latches onto is called the host.The host, in the process, is deprived of all nutrients for its own growth as they are consumed by the parasite.For example, Cuscuta (Amarbel) is a nongreen plant that takes readymade food from the plant on which it is growing.

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Saprotrophs

Organisms which rely on dead and decaying matter for their food are called Saprotrophs.

This mode of nutrition is called saprotrophic nutrition.For example, Fungi.Fungi secrete digestive juices on the dead and decaying matter and convert it into a solution.Then they absorb the nutrients from it.

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Insectivorous Plants

Plants that feed on insects are called Insectivorous plants.

These plants are green and carry out photosynthesis.But, they grow in nitrogen-deficient soils.So, in order to get nitrogen, they feed on insects.These insectivorous plants have their parts modified for attracting and catching insects.For example, The pitcher plant, Venous flytrap

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Did You Know?

Cactus PlantsMost of the photosynthesis takes place in the leaves of green plants.However, in case of some desert plants, it takes place in their stem and even branches.Cacti are found in the desert and their leaves are modified to spines to avoid loss of water due to transpiration.Therefore, their green stems enable them to carry out the process of photosynthesis.